Custom Application Development

While there is no shortage of writing available on the internet or in software development textbooks regarding the various software development methodologies available, I find that the great majority of it is really geared toward managing large projects for large companies. Since I develop for small and medium size businesses who often have very limited budgets for development, I am always interested in the processes and methodologies that can help me produce better software for my clients. My clients IT infrastructures often leave something to be desired – and therefore often I become an infrastructure consultant as well as software developer.

My reading this week pointed me to an article on the SearchSoftwareQuality site entitled “Useful app dev practices trump full-blown processes.” The article, written about prominent software methodologist Ivar Jacobson touches on how Jacobson is willing to rethink processes and practices, something which is always difficult to do either because of time constraints or because of being reluctant to admit that something which you previously had thought was so great – perhaps isn’t, or needs to be modified.

Custom application software needs to be reviewed regularly in order to maintain or increase its value as it is used. This is no trivial task. I’m currently in the process of conducting 2 such reviews for clients, and they are taking considerable time — and it is these reviews which bring me to “Use Cases” and another article titled “Five use case traps to avoid“. Use cases can be a very valuable methodology to incorporate when reviewing existing software, procedures and planning future rewrites or modifications to the application – even for small projects, creating such a document will help solidify understanding and communication among the analyst, developer/programmer and client.

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About This Blog

This blog deals with the questions and challenges of providing users with quality "custom" software programs to make doing their job easier, faster, better or more completely.